Higher Education in Tailgating

Commenter 'CIL' sent this to me and I thought it was worth sharing.

Tailgater Monthly's 2009 Tailgate Raking:

10. University of Colorado: "One of the most naturally beautiful settings in all of tailgating. No matter what the weather, there is a microbrew to fit your situation."

9. University of Georgia: "Tailgating in Athens is as serious as the game itself."

8. University of Washington: "It is an uncommonly cool event to tailgate on the water."

7. University of Alabama: "Bama's faithful arrive almost a week early to set up the perfect spot and to place orders for ribs or sauce from Dream Land or Archibalds."

6. University of Texas: "Not many people have pride in their grilling skills like the people who fill the lots surrounding the DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium."

5. University of Wisconsin: "The fans are loud, the tailgates are massive, and the beer, brats and cheese are in no small quantity."

4. University of Tennessee: "Combining a trip up the Tennessee River with SEC football is an experience that has become a tradition for many of the Volunteer faithful."

3. LSU: "The food here is unlike any other in the world. That, accompanied with the atmosphere of a night game in Death Valley, can give you tailgating memories that will last a lifetime."

2. Penn State: "Great tradition, a constant fan base and a party that sprawls all around the stadium."

1. University of Mississippi: "Simply put, an Ole Miss Saturday in the Grove is tailgating at its finest...the elegant tailgate setups with centerpieces, silverware and a feast as southern as Mississippi."

Tailgate Time

Football season has kicked off with upsets and big wins, Virginia Fall Races is next weekend and International Gold Cup is October 17th.

Crisp weather, fields of tents, plots of land (while ours if only for a few hours) turned out with everything from 'low brow' collegiate pop-up chairs, Coleman folding tables, and bar-b-que pits on one end to 'top shelf' white linens, chivari chairs, and silver trays on the other end.

Welcome to Tailgate Time.

Image Credit: Conde Naste

Vintage Black & Gold

Big Chin...Iron Jaw...Stanley Saint...known under different names and been seen all over since The Big One, his real name is "Sir Saint" and he's made a significant comeback. While there is little to no history of Sir Saint online, Wikipedia has noted he was the official mascot under former owner John Mecom and under review by the organization for wider exposure.

Sir Saint is the 2nd official mascot, after Gumbo, of the New Orleans Saints.

The Stars at Night, Are Big and Bright...

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Deep in the Heart of Texas!

Before summer becomes too much of a distant memory, I wanted to take a few minutes and share a few highlights from the Reunion weekend in Austin I mentioned back before labor day.

Friday, September 4:
Pluckers Wing Bar, 3909 South Lamar (www.pluckers.com)

The weekend started with a welcome party at Pluckers. My first cousin Mark opened Pluckers with his buddy David many years ago on the UT campus and can now be found all over Texas and in Baton Rouge.

If you are ever near a Pluckers, make sure to stop in for the Colonel's Fried Pickles, the lemon pepper wings (my pick), Sweet Tea served in a huge Mason jar and finish it off with Fried Twinkies.

Saturday, September 5:
Scholtz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto Blvd (www.scholtzgarten.com)

Saturday was amazing - we headed up to Scholz Garten to get a feel for a Texas Tailgate and it was impressive. It put Nissan Pavillion to shame, mainly because of the fan unity in Burnt Orange and White - as evident above left. Taken so seriously Texas Alum, Lauren, (of White Tie Wedding) had to change out of her blue top before heading near the stadium.

Also of note are the aggresive Tall Boy Koozie's available for $3 a pop. I stocked up for future events that call for cut offs.

Sunday, September 6:
The Salt Lick Restaurant 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood (www.saltlickbbq.com)

The weekend was wrapped up at Salt Lick about 25 miles outside of Austin in Driftwood, Texas. The food was darn tasty - smoked sausages, moist brisket, ribs so tender the meat fell off the bone - coupled with beautiful weather and exception outdoor live music.

As they say at Pluckers:

"If you don't like our wings, we'll give you the bird!"

Beaten Up Bean Boots

Proudly owned by Robert Lindenzweig

Image Credit: J. Paige Guedri Gill

Autumn’s Return

This September, more so than I remember in the past, Autumn has arrived if on cue.

As the heat of summerdays spent at outdoor concerts, on the beach and in backyards bar-b-queing transitions into splendidly cool fall days with the slightest crispness in the air, I can't wait for what the months ahead have in store:

Fall's uniform of oxfords with cords and Levi's, cable knits and Shetland crew necks, and weather appropriate Barbours.

Saturdays and Sundays camped in front of the flat screen at our favorite watering hole watching College Gameday and Saints' victories.

And excursions out into the country, whether to harvest falls' offering of pumpkins and apples or sporting clays and upland hunts.

It's as if I can almost smell the spiced cider...

Rebel Yell Bourbon

"Unique. Commanding. Unforgettable."

"The rebel yell is one of the enduring legends of the War Between the States. Just as the rebel yell's heritage remains true, so does that of its namesake - Rebel Yell.

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. An authentic wheated bourbon. Rebel Yell has been made according to its original time-honored recipe since 1849."

The description straight from the back of the bottle. I can't make this stuff up.

Image Credit: Echard Wheeler (echard-wheeler.com)

In Memoriam

...of those that were injured or passed on that horrible day eight years ago.

Image Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandan W. Schulze

Iconic

"Christ. Seven years of college down the drain. Might as well join the f!@#$g Peace Corps."

Image Credit: All Posters.com

Back To School 2009

• North Face Jester Daypack: Look rugged even if the only thing you plan to climb is the social ladder.
• Animal House College Poster: "Toga! Toga! Toga!" "Thanks, I needed that!" Classic.
• University Hoodie: Required. Likelihood of losing many to co-eds using them for their walk-of-shames high.
  
• Bean XL Rolling Duffle: In multiple, to get all your gear there in one piece.
• Backrest: The girls will call them 'husband' or 'boyfriend' pillows, you shouldn't.
  
• Keg Bucket & Tap: Where your money for school supplies really goes.
  
• Bed-In-A-Bag: Plaid, 'natch.

Image Credits: Links above correspond clockwise from top left

SGTravels: Austin

Headed off to Austin, TX this weekend for our third Family Reunion - over 5 (correction 4) generations and 50 people from Coast-to-Coast and as far south at as Buenos Aires - will be descending on The Live Music Capitol of the World.

The weekend has some great things planned from a welcome party at Pluckers Wing Bar, tailgating for the Texas game at Scholz's Garten, dinner at Matt's El Rancho, bowling at Highland Lands, late night on 6th Street, a poker tournament and bar-b-que at The Salt Lick.

Highlights on the backend. Hook'em Horns!

Image Credit: AustinTexas.org

Hurricane Party

My last hurricane party was senior year of college; Hurricane Isabel was coming up the East Coast towards DC, the city raised the walls on the banks of the Potomac to protect the Georgetown waterfront and we loaded the Jolly Trolley down with "supplies."

Hunkering down at the brand new Pi Kappa Phi house my fraternity little brother, Tommy, and I had plans to listen to Cowboy Mouth and let the good times roll.

Hurricane Party

"We had a little party me and my friends

A hurricane was coming to New Orleans again

somebody brought scotch somebody brought beer

I shoulda' kept the hooch and thrown'em outta here

A friendly game a penny a hand

Smoke a cigar act like a man

Waintin' for the gale force winds to blow

Shuffle up the cards and let the liquor flow"

- Cowboy Mouth

However, much like Tropical Storm Ana, Hurricane Bill, and Tropical Storm Danny this year, Isabel fizzled out here in Washington and amounted to not much more than heavy rain (thankfully). But let's be honest, who needs a life threatening, destructive amount of rain to have a party!



You can make a classic Pat O'Briens hurricane after buying the mix from Cajun Grocer or use this recipe from Emeril Lagasse (via The Food Network):

• 12 ounces light rum
• 12 ounces dark rum
• 10 ounces grenadine, or passion fruit syrup
• 10 ounces fresh orange juice
• 10 ounces sour mix, or fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons superfine sugar, or more to taste
• 1 large orange, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
• Maraschino cherries [my addition]
  

Mix all the ingredients in a tall pitcher or large pot [or punch bowl] and stir to dissolve the sugar. Pour into a punch bowl and add the ice cubes and orange segments [and cherry]. Serve in tall glasses over ice with straws.

Be careful with these, because the last time they were served...

"My hurricane party got outta control"

Image Credit: (Top to Bottom) DAM, Cowboy Mouth, "Philip Collier's Mixing New Orleans: Cocktails & Legends" text by Jennifer Adams with photography by Michael Terranova